Mechanisms Engineer III — Opto-Mechanical Systems
About The Position
The Emerging Systems business unit at Blue Origin is pioneering the future of space-based communications with TeraWave, a revolutionary satellite communications network designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 Tbps anywhere on Earth. This multi-orbit constellation will consist of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 128 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), providing enterprise-grade connectivity for critical operations worldwide. Blue Origin's Emerging Systems is seeking a driven Mechanisms Engineer III to join a small, fast-moving team developing precision mechanical systems for the TeraWave constellation. On a lean team, you will personally own significant mechanism design scope end-to-end — from concept through qualification — with a high degree of autonomy and accountability for your hardware. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior and principal engineers, but you will be the directly responsible engineer for the mechanisms you take on.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related technical field
- 5+ years of experience in precision mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
- Demonstrated ability to independently own the design, analysis, and qualification of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Creo, NX, SolidWorks) and finite element analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Comsol)
- Working knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
- Hands-on experience with space qualification testing including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
- Experience with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators for space mechanisms
- Solid understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
- Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
- Self-directed work style with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to thrive with minimal oversight on a small team
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related field
- Experience with optical communications terminals or lasercom pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems
- Exposure to lubrication and tribology for space mechanisms (e.g., dry film, ionic liquid, oil-impregnated)
- Familiarity with STOP (Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance) analysis workflows
- Experience supporting transition of precision mechanisms from development into production
- Exposure to statistical process control or production data analysis for mechanism performance verification
Responsibilities
- Own the design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals, from concept through flight qualification
- Develop and be accountable for mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
- Drive design trades for gimbal configurations, balancing mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime, and defend your recommendations in design reviews
- Plan and execute mechanism qualification including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments, and own the resulting data and corrective actions
- Author and maintain mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures supporting hardware build and test
- Coordinate directly with cross-functional partners on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition — acting as the point of contact for your hardware
- Partner with senior and principal engineers on the toughest technical problems, escalating risks early and proposing solutions
- Support production transition through tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA improvements, and direct supplier engagement
- Motor and encoder selection for precision drive systems
- Bearing selection, preload analysis, and lubrication strategies for space mechanisms
- Mechanism-level FMEA and reliability analysis
Benefits
- Medical
- dental
- vision
- basic and supplemental life insurance
- paid parental leave
- short and long-term disability
- 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
- Education Support Program
- Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
- Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours
- up to 14 company-paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
